More detail on this person: Luther Joe Snipes Charlotte Observer, The (NC) - Monday, April 9, 1990 LUTHER SNIPES REMEMBERED AS PATRIOTIC HERO Luther Joe Snipes was a modest, quiet hero. When he died Sunday in Columbia, even his closest family members didn't know the Chester native had received the Bronze Star, Cross of Gallantry and a uniform full of other medals from service in two wars. "He just didn't talk about it much," said Jerry Tarlton, Mr. Snipes' brother-in-law, from a family home in Chester. "None of the family knew about it. He was never one to toot his own horn." Mr. Snipes, 51, will be buried with full military rites Tuesday in Chester Memorial Gardens as many of his friends and family look on. He joined the Army as a teenager after quitting high school, Tarlton said. After serving in the Korean War, Mr. Snipes returned to his homeland to pursue a brief radio broadcasting job and other ventures before re-enlisting. He was awarded his wings as a helicopter pilot and received distinguished service medals for missions over Vietnam. He was awarded the National Defense Service medal for career service in Korea, Vietnam and additional time in Germany; the Bronze Star and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for distinguished service, the Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for service in particular campaigns, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Driver Mechanic Badge and two Good Conduct medals. "He was patriotic," Tarlton said. "We don't know what he did, but it was something obviously extraordinary or he wouldn't have gotten all those medals." Mr. Snipes was several months away from 20 years of career military service when he was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, his family said. He was independent and fought the disease as hard as he could, Tarlton said. "He would have stayed in the military," Tarlton said. Officiating at Mr. Snipes' funeral will be the Rev. Earl Lee and the Rev. R.B. Turner. Mr. Snipes was born in Chester County, son of Mrs. Lettie Robinson Snipes and the late Luther Joe Snipes Sr. Survivors are his son, Warren Snipes of Long Beach, N.C.; daughter, Mrs. Beverly Chestnut, of Wilmington, N.C.; mother, Mrs. Lettie Robinson Snipes; brothers, Ralph Snipes of Columbia, Wayne Snipes, Tommy Snipes, Charles Snipes; sisters, Mrs. Patsy Tarlton, of Lexington, Mrs. Barbara Wheeler; and two grandchildren.
Burial information: Chester Memorial Gardens, Chester, SC
This information was last updated 08/24/2020
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